Baked Ziti
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Whip up my easy, crowd-pleasing baked ziti recipe—it’s perfect for cozy weeknights yet special enough for company, and an absolute superstar at potlucks!
Photo by Johnny Miller, (Clarkson Potter, 2021)
This baked ziti is a MAJOR crowd-pleaser, whether I’m hosting a family gathering or cooking for my son’s college friends (I usually double the recipe in that case!). In fact, I love it so much that it’s featured proudly on the cover of my second cookbook! The secret to its uniqueness lies in using Italian sausage, which is a shortcut to incredible flavor, and skipping the ricotta cheese, which tends to have a grainy texture in traditional baked ziti. The recipe is doable on a weeknight yet special enough to serve to company, and it’s also a fantastic make-ahead potluck dish.
If you’re looking to save time, you can opt for pre-shredded mozzarella cheese from a bag; just make sure it’s the whole milk version (the low-fat version isn’t nearly as good). As the baked ziti works its magic in the oven, throw together a big Italian salad and warm some garlic bread, and you’re ready to feast!
Table of Contents
“Simply outstanding…I made the ziti for a huge birthday party I hosted for a member of my family. Everyone (ages 5 to 91) devoured it.”
What You’ll Need to Make Baked Ziti
- Ziti Noodles: The main pasta component of the dish; rigatoni or penne can used as well.
- Italian Sausage: Bulk sausage is ideal as it can be easily crumbled, but you can also use sausage with casings, removing them before cooking.
- Garlic: Enhances the overall flavor of the sauce.
- Canned Crushed Tomatoes: Form the base of the tomato sauce, providing a rich and tangy flavor.
- Salt, Sugar, Red Pepper Flakes: Seasonings that balance the flavors of the sauce.
- Heavy Cream: Adds creaminess and richness to the tomato sauce.
- Pecorino Romano: Offers a sharp and salty flavor. Parmigiano Reggiano cheese can be substituted if needed.
- Fresh Basil: Provides a fresh and aromatic flavor.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Contributes to the cheesy, gooey, and indulgent texture of the baked ziti.
- Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Boil the Noodles
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the 1 lb of ziti noodles according to the package instructions until a few minutes shy of al dente, about 7 minutes. (It will continue to cook in the oven, so you want to undercook it just a bit.) Drain and add the pasta back to the pot. Set aside.
Step 2: Make the Sauce
Heat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, and crumble the 1½ lbs sausage into the pan.
Cook the sausage, breaking apart with a wooden spoon, until lightly browned and just cooked through, 5 to 6 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked sausage to a plate.
Drain all but 1 tablespoon of the fat from the pan and set over low heat (if you don’t have enough fat in the pan, add a tablespoon of olive oil). Add the 4 cloves minced garlic and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until soft but not browned, about 1 minute.
Stir in the 28-oz can crushed tomatoes, 1 teaspoon salt, 1½ teaspoons sugar, and ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes and simmer for 10 minutes.
Add the 1 cup heavy cream, 1/3 cup of the pecorino Romano, and 1/3 cup basil to the pan.
Then stir in the cooked sausage.
Carefully pour the contents of the sauté pan into the large pot with the pasta and gently stir to combine.
Step 3: Assemble & Bake
Spoon half of the mixture into a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with half of the shredded mozzarella (1 cup) and half of the remaining pecorino Romano (1½ tablespoons).
Spoon the remaining pasta mixture on top and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella (1 cup) and pecorino Romano (1½ tablespoons).
Transfer to the oven and bake, uncovered, until the cheese has melted and browned, 15 to 20 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whole milk mozzarella is best. You can purchase a plastic-wrapped brick of mozzarella (usually sold in the dairy case) and shred it yourself. To make it easier to work with, pop it in the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes prior to shredding. Or, to save time time, it’s perfectly fine to use pre-shredded mozzarella; just be sure it is made from whole milk. Avoid fresh buffalo mozzarella, which is best suited for salads.
Yes, the dish can be assembled, covered, and refrigerated for up to 2 days in advance. Bake, covered tightly with aluminum foil, in a 425°F (220°C) oven for 25 minutes. Then uncover and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is lightly browned and the pasta is hot throughout.
Absolutely! Baked ziti is a great candidate for freezing, and it can be frozen for up to 3 months before or after baking. If you freeze before baking, thaw the dish in the refrigerator overnight and bake, covered tightly with aluminum foil, in a 425°F (220°C) oven for 25 minutes. Then uncover and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is lightly browned and the pasta is hot throughout. To freeze after baking, let the dish cool completely, then cut it into individual portions or leave it whole. Wrap the portions tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or place them in an airtight container. To reheat, simply thaw in the refrigerator overnight and bake until heated through.
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Video Tutorial
Baked Ziti
Whip up my easy, crowd-pleasing baked ziti recipe—it’s perfect for cozy weeknights yet special enough for company, and an absolute superstar at potlucks!
Ingredients
- 1 lb ziti noodles
- 1½ lbs ground spicy or sweet Italian sausage (or removed from casings)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28-oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1½ teaspoons sugar
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ⅓ cup plus 3 tablespoons grated pecorino Romano (or Parmigiano Reggiano) cheese, divided
- ⅓ cup chopped fresh basil, plus more for serving
- 8 oz whole milk mozzarella cheese, shredded (about 2 cups)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the 1 lb of ziti noodles and cook according to the package directions for very al dente, about 7 minutes. (It will continue to cook in the oven so you want to undercook it just a bit.) Drain and add the pasta back to the pot. Set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F and set the oven rack in the middle position.
- Heat a large sauté pan (preferably nonstick) over medium-high heat. Crumble the 1½ lbs of sausage into the pan and cook, breaking apart with a wooden spoon, until lightly browned and just cooked through, 5 to 6 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked sausage to a plate. Drain all but 1 tablespoon of the fat from the pan and set over low heat (if you don't have enough fat in the pan, add a tablespoon of olive oil). Add the 4 cloves of minced garlic and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until soft but not browned, about 1 minute. Add the 28-oz can of crushed tomatoes, 1 teaspoon salt, 1½ teaspoons sugar and ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
- Add the 1 cup cream, ⅓ cup of the pecorino Romano, cooked sausage, and ⅓ cup basil to the pan; stir until evenly combined. Carefully pour the contents of the sauté pan into the large pot with the pasta and gently stir to combine. Spoon half of the mixture into a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with half of the shredded mozzarella (1 cup) and half the remaining pecorino Romano (1½ tablespoons). Spoon the remaining pasta mixture on top and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella (1 cup) and pecorino Romano (1½ tablespoons). Transfer to the oven and bake, uncovered, until the cheese has melted and browned, 15 to 20 minutes. Sprinkle with more basil and serve.
- Make-Ahead/Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The dish can be assembled, covered, and refrigerated for up to 2 days in advance, or frozen for up to 3 months. (If frozen, defrost in the refrigerator overnight.) Whether refrigerated or frozen and defrosted, bake, covered tightly with aluminum foil, in a 425°F oven for 25 minutes. Then uncover and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is lightly browned and the pasta is hot throughout.
Pair with
Nutrition Information
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- Per serving (10 servings)
- Calories: 613
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated fat: 18 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Sugar: 6 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Sodium: 913 mg
- Cholesterol: 111 mg
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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Comments
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I’ve made this baked ziti several times over the past year and it’s delicious! I have made a few tweaks along the way to suit my preferences. Because I prefer a saucier baked pasta, I will either decrease the pasta to 3/4lb or add an additional small can of crushed tomatoes if making the full pound. This recipe is a keeper!
Hi Jen, can add dried basil instead of fresh one? What is the measurement if I will use a dried basil? Thank you
Hi Sheila, I’m not fan of dried basil, but some readers have commented that they’ve used it and have have been happy with the dish. You’ll need just shy of 2 tablespoons. Please LMK how it turns out if you try it!
Made this for dinner tonight. Used hot Italian sausages from Costco. It was excellent!
This recipe is delicious, but this time I plan on dividing this into two batches in 2 8×8 baking pans. One to use now and one to freeze. My question is what would the baking time be for an 8” square pan? I would think it would be less than a 9×13? Thank you!
Hi Mary, the baking time may be slightly shorter, but not much. I’d shave about 5 minutes off of the time in the oven and then check in the center to see if it’s heated all the way through. And so glad you like it! 😊
Out of all the recipes I’ve made from various websites – and the list is extensive – this is our favourite recipe, made as is.
I made this recipe. It is a keeper!
My children and grandchildren loved it. Pared with a salad & focaccia bread and a side of crispy chicken cutlets.
I made this recipe tonight. I tweeked it just a bit, to use what I had on hand. I used ground chuck instead of the sausage, which I cooked with 1/4 of an onion diced small, and seasoned with garlic and onion powder and salt and pepper. I also added one jar of rao’s marinara and increased the heavy cream by 1/2 Cup. I only had Mozzarella and parmesean cheeses, so I used those. Everything else was made per the recipe and I have to say, this was one of the BEST baked Ziti recipes I have ever had! I can’t wait to try making it exactly as the recipe instructs. Thank you! My whole family loved this! I guarantee the leftovers will be even better!
This is a fantastic recipe. I thought it was going to be too salty but the sugar helps to balance it out. It’s very important to use pecorino Romano or Parmigiano reggiano. They impart such a wonderful flavor compared to that Kraft crap in the green container. I used pecorino. I followed the recipe exactly but I did add 10 minutes to the baking time because I love when the cheese is very brown and the noodles are crunchy on top. I will absolutely be making this again. Bravo
I have never made baked ziti but had a feeling it wasn’t too hard to make. Came across this recipe and the ingredients are simple and delicious! I made a few tweaks for mine – used fire roasted crushed tomatoes (a game changer in my opinion for flavor), basil pesto instead of fresh basil (2 dollops), and Dash salt-free seasoning blend extra spicy (a literal dash of it) instead of red pepper flakes. I still added minced garlic but I let it brown for more flavor. I also added a 1/4 cup of the pasta water to “rinse” out the can of crushed tomatoes and to thicken the sauce up a bit. This recipe is super simple and super delicious, my 9 year old was so impressed and asked for seconds and was completely WOW’d!
My first time making baked Ziti and it was amazing. Very easy to make. Full of flavor. It was definitely a crows pleaser. Will be making again for sure.